SLW Candidates Address Growth, Amenities
BY JOHN A. NAGY, SLI Reporter
The Seven Lakes West Landowners Association hosted a “meet the candidates” forum on Feb. 10 for members to hear from the four men seeking election this month to the board of directors.
Two seats are up to be filled this year. The four residents vying include:
* Jim Greaves, of 105 Patman Court. Greaves has been on the board since 2020 and previously served on several committees, including communications, legal affairs, infrastructure and lake master plan.
During the forum, Greaves touted his willingness to pitch in as needed in the community, saying he helped install a new phone system and rewired offices in the community center. “It allowed the staff to work efficiently in the office,” he said. He’s also contributed toward improving digital communications and even worked to help keep the community pool open during the summer when pool contractors weren’t available.
* Bob Long Jr, of 125 Morris Drive. Long and his wife moved to Seven Lakes West permanently in 2018. He is president of the Lake Auman Sports Club and has served on the board’s finance and lake committees.
Long touted his long record of business experience. “I’ve run companies. I’ve run programs for the military and government, the Department of Defense. I work well with problem solving.”
* Timothy Niewald, of 426 Carriage Park Drive. He also currently sits on the board of directors and is liaison to the Architectural Review Committee.
“This board has done great things,” he said. “The decisions we make as a board help people’s daily lives, whether they build a new house or remodel of whatever it is. It makes that process easier.”
* Jack Roberts, of 150 Swaringen Drive. Roberts and his wife moved to Seven Lakes West in 2018. He has served on the Seven Lakes West Infrastructure Committee since 2019. He was chairman of that committee until 2021.
“Seven Lakes West is a very special place to live,” he said. “I feel like I can make a difference to maintain Seven Lakes West as a premier community.”
The candidates meeting, held over the Zoom online platform, was hosted by Bert van Domselaar, chairman of the board’s candidate recruiting committee.
Each candidate was asked to give a brief background on themselves and their professional history and qualifications to serve on the board of directors. Following that, each was asked to respond to a series of questions asked by van Domselaar.
Throughout the hour-long session, the four candidates largely agreed on issues such as the challenges facing Seven Lakes West, which amenities are in need of the most attention and the significance of the role of the community’s governing documents.
All four candidates said growth within Seven Lakes West has impacted the quality of life and taxed the wear-and-tear of amenities.
“We’re a growing community, different age groups, different people at different parts of their lives,” Niewald said, saying a key challenge will be figuring out what to do with 14 acres recently acquired behind the community center.
Roberts suggested that, as the community grows, security “is tantamount.”
“It’s going to be a hard need, and we’re going to need to start focusing on it a little more,” he said.
Chief among the points of discussion by the candidates were improvements and maintenance to community amenities, especially Johnson Point, the sole access point to Lake Auman.
Greaves said Seven Lakes West officials need to keep making improvements to Johnson Point. Last year, the beach was expanded, the grass was resodded and new playground equipment was installed. Improvements are also being done to the boat slips.
“We need equal access to the lake for all,” Greaves said.
But at the same time, other amenities, such as the aging pool and a nearly full mail house are going to need attention.
Long suggested putting more emphasis on the day-to-day standards of Johnson Point, which serves as a picnic spot and storage spot for boats and kayaks as much as putting into the water.
“Johnson Point should look clean every day,” Long said. “It needs to address the needs of all residents. Let’s maintain what we have so long as it’s functional.”
Ballots have gone out to valid property owners for voting. The two winning candidates will be announced during the community’s annual members meeting on March 20.
More information about the candidates can be found on the Seven Lakes West members homepage, along with a link to the Zoom “meet the candidates” meeting.
Contact John Nagy at (910) 693-2507 or john@thepilot.com.
